Resolution #5: 

Standing with Our Haitian Neighbors:
A Call to Action and Advocacy

Last Update: October 27, 2024

Status

The 175th Convention passed this resolution as presented on Saturday, October 26, 2024.

Resolved, That the 175th Convention of the Diocese of California affirms the September 17, 2024 Statement from Sarah Shipman, Director of the Episcopal Migration Ministries,  “Standing with Our Haitian Neighbors: A Call to Action and Advocacy,” and the supporting General Convention policies, 2018-D009, 2018-C033 & 2024-C031;

Resolved, That the Diocese of California stands with Episcopalians in Ohio and national and local faith leaders who have called us to respond with prayer and action to the recent rise in violent threats and harassment toward members of the Haitian community; and

Resolved, That this convention calls upon the Executive Council of The Episcopal Church, at its November 7 – 10, 2024 meeting in New Brunswick, New Jersey, to offer resources to support our Haitian neighbors in ways needed by the most affected dioceses.

Explanation:

Haitians and other immigrant communities in the United States and specifically in Springfield, Ohio have been thrust into the national spotlight because false, vicious, and hateful stories have been spread about them. Although these stories have been repeatedly debunked, they continue to be repeated and believed, prompting a barrage of racist threats against Haitian immigrants. These dangerous falsehoods have resulted in tense moments of palpable racism, including bomb threats that have shut down schools and workplaces, and the cruel politicization of one child’s tragic death.   

It is important to make known and support the work of witnesses of faith in Springfield. As noted in an open letter from Repairing the Breach (https://www.breachrepairers.org/latest-news/open-letter), “Haitians in Springfield came to the U.S. legally under protective status. They were welcomed by our congregations, which helped them find homes and businesses that put them to work in our communities. Their children have been a vital part of our schools.”

As we are reminded by the authors of the open letter, “God is present to us as a migrant stranger. This is not only a Christian value, it is shared across all of our faith traditions and roots us in the shared practices of hospitality. To reject the stranger is to reject God.” We can act locally to support immigrants of all backgrounds in their transition to this new country, making clear our call to welcome the stranger in our midst, confronting hate with love, fear with compassion, and evil words with Good News: The way of Jesus is one of boundless and never-ceasing love for all people.

In the previous triennium, the Executive Council has responded to similar crisis with Beloved Community Rapid Response Grants (MW 024) for racial disparities laid bare by the pandemic for groups responding to racist  violence, policing reform, and hate crimes targeting immigrant communities.  We ask Council to reach out to these affected dioceses and offer the necessary resources. 

References

 Submitted by:

Warren J. Wong, Delegate – St. James, SF wjwstjames@gmail.com (San Francisco Deanery)

 Endorsed  by:

The Rev. Laura Eberly – Iglesia Episcopal de Santiago St. James, Oakland (Alameda Deanery)
The Rev. Jurek Fernandez – Holy Child & St. Martin, Daly City (Peninsula Deanery)
The Rev. Rebekah Hays-Estera – Holy Child & St. Martin, Daly City (Peninsula Deanery)
The Rev. Jennifer Nelson – St. Bartholomew’s, Livermore & St. Clare’s, Pleasanton (So. Alameda)
The Rev. Merry Chan Ong – Our Saviour, Oakland (Alameda Deanery)
The Rev. Jon Owens – Christ Church, Sausalito (Marin Deanery)
The Rev. Dr. Pamela Stevens – St. Peter’s & La Misión El Buen Pastor, Redwood City (Peninsula) 

General Convention Deputation

The Rev. Br. Richard Edward Helmer BSG – Secretary of the Convention – Church of Our Saviour, Mill Valley (Marin Deanery)
Emily Hopkins – Resurrection, Pleasant Hill (Contra Costa Deanery)
The Rev. Cn. Debra Low-Skinner (Ret.) – Chair, DioCal Asian/Pacific Islander Commission
The Rev. Dr. Ruth Meyers – All Souls, Berkeley (Alameda Deanery)
The Rev. Dr. Cameron Partridge – St. Aidan’s, San Francisco (San Francisco Deanery)
The Very Rev. Dr. Deborah White – Grace, Martinez (Contra Costa Deanery)

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